NCJ Number
210400
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 72 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 32-33
Date Published
June 2005
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the difference between “information” and “intelligence” and why this distinction is important to homeland security efforts.
Abstract
The terms “information” and “intelligence” are arguably the most overused terms in public discourse regarding national safety. In many instances they are used interchangeably, which the author contends is not only a misrepresentation of the words actual meanings, but can also have deleterious outcomes for homeland security efforts. Information is described as raw data whereas intelligence is the product of the analysis of information. Basing national security decisions on information alone has the potential to scatter resources because not every piece of information is pertinent to law enforcement efforts. Decisions should be based, rather, on the intelligent analysis of information. The author reviews the Intelligence Cycle, which is the process through which information is turned into intelligence and notes that prior to September 11, 2001, there was an abundance of information but very little intelligence production. Endnotes